I am going round and round trying to get bigger pix of mine posted and having operator error.
I print screened DH's renderings (computer) and did a screen capture into picasa. From there I emailed them to myself and forwarded the email to photobucket (you can copy/paste the email they provide for you). Then it is automatically uploaded there.

Good luck. I'm spatially challenged or I would be happy to help.

I don't use photobucket -- I find Google's picasa easier to use.

Have you already looked at the ReadMe thread? The second comment is Buehl's explanation of how to upload to photobucket, and then insert photos into your posts here.

I'll try pasting Buehl's instructions below, but reading them in the ReadMe might be easier. Link below.

Posting a picture from your photo hosting account (e.g., PhotoBucket)

First, where are your pictures? If on your computer only, you'll need to upload them somewhere on the web for the rest of us to see them. I upload pictures to PhotoBucket.

1. Open an account w/PhotoBucket or other photo hosting site.

2. Take a picture using a digital camera (or film camera but get them on disk when they're developed)

3. Resize your pics so they're not too big, generally no more than 400x300 (or 300x400) (resize keeping the same proportions so they don't get distorted...i.e., don't specify a specific size, use %-ages or similar)*****[You can also often resize pictures at your photo hosting site, but it's faster to do on your computer]

4. Upload your pictures to your photo account

5. Find the label that contains the link to the picture

(In PhotoBucket, it's the box labeled "HTML Code")

6. Copy that link and paste it into the "Message" box of a post.

7. When you "Preview" your message, you will see the picture.

PhotoBucket Link Views:

*****

Posting a picture from somewhere other than your Photo hosting account

1. Copy the following into the "Message" box where you want the picture to be:
   <img src="http://www.XXX/image.jpg">;

2. Next, replace the http://www.XXX/image.jpg with the address of the image.

3. When you "preview" the message, you should see the picture

Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me for GardenWeb kitchen forum

Thanks, guys. I do know how to upload to photobucket and post, I just keep getting a photobucket message saying it can't be uploaded. Odd. I actually started out with it as a screenshot and thought maybe that was the problem for some reason. Maybe photobucket doesn't support bmp files? Never thought of that.

I didn't even think of Picasa and I will give that a try later today if/when work calms down. Stay tuned... :)

I have my layout in picasa (screen capture) but don't know
how to import it to photobucket.....anyone??
I'm sure I am missing the obvious.

I had trouble with Photobucket giving me that message for awhile, so I switched to emailing the image to my photobucket account. It's an option on the page.

Let's see if this works (see link-I hope you can read it.)

Some facts:

-It is a new build.

-The kitchen is 20x22 (included in the 22 feet is a 6 ft breakfast nook.)

-Two adults, 6 children (ages 17, 15, 14, 11, 9, 6)

-There will be a 6.7 x 6.7 ft pantry (my baby LOL). You can see the opening on the bottom left corner.

-The island as proposed is 9 ft long (seems like a landing strip to me, but I think I will like it. Prob a prep sink in it.

We are not committed to any specific layout. We will finalize appliances this weekend, but it looks like it will be a 48" cooktop and 30" double wall ovens. I'd like a single large fridge-only setup but have a hard time spending 6k on one so that's still in the air. I have a large stand alone freezer that will either be in the nearby garage or in the basement.

I'd like a warming drawer, but I'm not sure it's a "must have" if I have a 48" cooktop. We are not big microwave users and I'm considering putting it in the pantry, but not sure.

In the top of the photo, the kitchen leads to the living room (open). There is a separate dining room.

We expect to entertain quite a bit and love for the kitchen to be the gathering area.

Holidays at my house often have 40+ people there :)

I enjoy all forms of cooking, but mostly love to bake.

-That's a start. I'm sure I'm missing lots, though.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen layout

Well, I can certainly relate to your kitchen needs, as we have 8 kids: 22, 21, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, and 6. Amazingly close to the ages of yours. We also have a 48" rangetop and 30" dbl wall ovens. For fridges and freezer, we went with two Electrolux ICON all-fridges and 1 all-freezer. About $4500 total for all 3.

The linked plan wouldn't work for our family with its multiple workers because of the cleanup and cooking areas being back to back, sharing the same floorspace and work paths...But I'm confused, because you mentioned an island with prep sink...So do you plan to have the cleanup area moved to the side?

Which way is the dining room? Is the living room your main gathering/family hang-out spot? The biggest challenge I see right now is that because of 2 open sides and the doorways, you are short on wall space for a large fridge and the wall ovens... Can the kitchen extend toward the living room on the stove wall? Where does that door come from on the bottom left? Will a lot of traffic stream through there and into the work area of the kitchen?

I'm sorry, I should have clarified better.

The current layout of cabinets and appliances is just a draft, something thrown in each spot to just get an idea. I know it is FAR from ideal. It is part of the original contractor's plan and not my mark-ups. Being formerly TKO and once again TKO, it gives me heart palpitations to see this setup. ;) For example, the double wall ovens down near the nook is just too far away, IMO.

Here's what I'm thinking: I'll call the long wall on the bottom of the picture, perpendicular to the island, Wall A. That will probably be my clean-up area with the sink on that wall, DW closer to the nook (easy dinner-time clean-up) and trash also on that wall. On the other side of that wall is the pantry and a covered deck that will eventually be screened in. I would probably put the sink centered below a window there.

The wall that currently holds the cooktop (I'll call that Wall B): I think I'd like to keep that cooktop there. Although I'm not committed at all to it, it just feels like that should be my cooking area.

I feel like the island should be my prep area, espcially the end closest to the living room.

I'm not sure where I want the fridge in this scenario. I feel like it should be closest to the pantry and the entrance from the garage/mudroom for easy grocery unpacking. I also think along Wall B near the living room would be a good space because it would make prep easier, not to mention grabbing a beer and heading to the LR. ;)

Rhome, you're awesome with all your help and well-thought out questions. Marry me and we can bring up 14 kids together. HAHAHA...I crack myself up.

Ahem...Anyway....

Yes, Wall B can be extended another 2.9 feet towards the living room and I expect we will do that.

The dining room is behind Wall B, or you can go out that door on the bottom left and take a left to the mudroom and eventually the garage. The first opening is the pantry. I considered switching the door to the pantry around the corner (across from the mudroom), but I think a kitchen entrance is better. Clear as mud?

I can't really describe traffic flow because it's a new construction and we're not sure exactly how we will "live" in the house. I do expect that lower left doorway to be a high traffic area.

That's kind of how I pictured it, but you have 11'6" on Wall A. Sink: 3 ft, 2 dishwashers: 4 ft (please tell me you're considering 2, as I, personally, would find that more essential for a family the size of yours than a warming drawer. JMO) That leaves 4 1/2 ft, which I would want for dish storage, not fridge there. Plus, if the fridge is on that wall...or anywhere near the pantry, unfortunately, it means everyone (from living room or bfast area) comes through the kitchen work area to get anything out of the fridge. So in this scenario, no oven or fridge on Wall A.

So now we look at stove wall, which, as drawn, is 9'1". Subtract a 4 ft rangetop and you have 30" to each side, which is perfect. If you put in the oven, you have only 15" to each side, which is too small. And there's definitely no room for the fridge. What might go in the space to the living room end of the stove wall? Utilizing that could make room for fridge or oven...I'd probably elect fridge.

If you put the oven where the fridge is shown on Wall A...That might work, but I'm still worried about dish storage, especially if you want a nice, big window, so have limited uppers.

OK...All that was my thinking out loud. Still not sure about the trash, as I think maybe I'd want it in the end of the island facing the cleanup area, as I have mine, but that may not thrill you...and I still haven't gotten your OK on the 2 dishwashers, but here is one try. Not thinking out of the box too much, but I think I could like this setup if it were mine.

I moved the island closer to the stove, which is what I prefer for better efficiency and, hopefully, to discourage through-traffic. (My rangetop is 3 ft from my island, and I have photos of it in use if you'd like to see.) This also allows the island to be deeper, which is much better for the seating and nicer for big baking projects, etc.

Thanks, Rhome. I like what you did. I'm having a hard time selling the two DW's, although I LOVE the idea. I think I have to compromise on just one. I will work on it at the appliance store today.

The refrigerator is another source of concern. "Are you crazy, that's huge" *sigh* He's right, it is, but so are our needs. Right now I have a KA french door, bottom freezer, which I really don't like at all, plus I have a beverage refrigerator. It's a good compromise (space-wise)and I don't mind losing the beverage refrigerator, but I really think I need to make that space up.

One question I'm not sure about: What size hood/vent do I need over a 48" cooktop? I'm wondering about upper cabinet space on that wall. I think if I put the refrigerator there, I definitely need storage space for glasses. I don't want to have to go to Wall A to get a glass, then Wall B to get the drink. Yet I still want storage space for all my spices and cooking oils and such.

What is to the left of the prep sink as you face it? I can't read that.

This is VERY helpful so far!

I have a 48" hood over my 48" rangetop. I also like to keep my spices and oils in upper wall cabs by the stove.
But...
One thing I had to get used to in a bigger kitchen is that everything can't be handy to everything else. Our dishes stay in the dish storage area by the sink and dishwashers, even though the microwave, fridges, and 'breakfast counter' (where the toaster oven, bread, and cereals live) are across the room. Just can't have dishes at each spot, and it's easiest to put them away near the dishwasher...and where they're closest to the dining area.

I can't imagine having only 1 dishwasher again. With only 1, don't you have a lot left over to hand wash, or that must wait for another dishwasher load later? ANY handwashing that could be done by the dishwasher is likely wasting water and electricity, as dishwashers are more energy efficient than hand-washers, especially kids. I read studies proving that many years ago...and dishwashers have gotten much more energy efficient since. It is great to be able to do all the dishes at once. It is great to have one clean and one ready to wash. All better than piles of dishes and fighting to get things hand washed. Families smaller than yours and mine love having two dishwashers...With ours, I think it is close to necessity.

The fridge thing is hard, because of the ridiculous cost of fridges. But you don't have to tell me how difficult it is for a family your size to have one standard fridge. I wasn't even sure a 48" would do it for us, which is why I'd originally planned two 36". When I saw the Electrolux ICON all-fridge and all-freezer, I was glad to get 2 of the fridges and 1 freezer for about the price of 2 standard fridges...Because our garage is not attached and I didn't relish the idea of always having to go outside to the big freezer, so that gave me the chance to have a freezer inside. Sometimes that's too full! But so far, the 2 smallish fridges (33") meet our needs wonderfully.

Beverage fridges are usually kind of expensive aren't they? For the room they offer? I'd think you could sure convince him that you don't want to have less refrigeration than you do now. The younger kids are only going to get bigger and put more demands on the fridge (and dishwasher). :-)

In your kitchen, I think the ideal would be to have a 30" fridge on Wall A, and a 30" fridge and the oven on the stove wall. I'll add our plan to this post, just so you can see what we did. There are 2 things I wish I'd done differently...Have the long side of the island face the stove, as you have in this plan...and have some more major storage for baking dishes and baking pans. You have a larger pantry, so maybe that will serve you better that way.

That marking to the left of the prep sink was already there on the plan. It just says 12". I didn't draw my usual preference, which is to have the prep sink in the end cabinet, so it can be accessed from either the stove side or the end of the island. That would be my first choice, I think. But some like a little landing space to each side, so I left the 12" for now.

First layout I tried for your 'dream kitchen' (IMO):

Another option for the stove wall...better for rangetop orientation with the island, but maybe not as great for baking and oven use:

And the layout of our kitchen I'd promised in the last post:

Ok, so things have changed quite a bit since our trip to the appliance store.

Convincing him to get the two dishwashers was a breeze. I'm pretty sure that's a done deal.

One other thing that we both agreed on was to can the double ovens and get the 48" dual fuel range. It just works better for our scenario. Having the oven below doesn't bother me in the least, and i think it will work best for our situation and for making that wall the centerpiece of the kitchen, which is one of the things we really wanted to do. I am very happy with that decision.

two other things we discussed: The second refrigerator in the pantry (similar to what you have...sort of. It would be right behind the one you drew, Rhome, in your scenario. I think this is a good compromise, considering we have such a large pantry.

He's pretty indifferent on the layout, but he'd rather not have a prep sink in the island. It does seem like a logical spot for it, but I'm not sure it would be such a bad idea to put it to the right of the stove, next to the fridge. Thoughts? I will say that I generally prep while I cook. I'm not the type that preps everything, then starts cooking, so it might be a good idea to have it on the same wall. Currently I have my prep space between my sink and stove on the same wall and I love the convenience of that.

Rhome (or anybody else who wants to play), you like your Electrolux Icon? I'm a little nervous with the not-so-good reviews, but they seem to be improving.

Thanks for being patient while it took so long to get back to this thread. We had some very special people to honor this memorial day weekend and it was quite busy!

On a side note, I know the linked words in a post are annoying, but I can't bring myself to intentionally type a word wrong so it doesn't link ;)

You can opt out of the linked word thing. I think if you right click on them it tells you how. I just did it the other day and now can't remember exactly what I did, but it was easy.

Fridge in pantry: Will you have good ventilation so it won't make the pantry any warmer? Can you situate it so that it(and the door swing) won't interfere with or decrease your shelf space too much?

Sorry that I can't support all the new ideas. At least, they wouldn't work for me.

You've mentioned that you now prep as you cook, and next to the stove...But do you have this kind of layout? I also am usually still prepping as I cook, but it's sure nice not to have to face the wall, not be confined to a small space, and not be constantly under the hood vent noise. It's nice to be able to converse with and see others as I work...And have all that room to spread out. (Don't you want to be able to keep an eye on what the family is doing in the big room while you're in the kitchen?) If it's not for prep, and other projects that may benefit from a water source, what's a nice big island for? ;-) I find it very convenient to prep on the island and turn to the stove to add things, stir, etc.

Having the prep sink on the island makes it multi-purpose, and it earns its keep...and its spot there. It also makes the island more multipurpose. Having it between the fridge and stove would only make it available to the cook.

If you have kids that like to bake while you cook, or vice-versa, it'll be easier to have the cooktop and ovens separated. Another thing that helps a kitchen be more multi-worker friendly. But I'm more OK with a range than I am with the prep sink not on the island...

Just my thoughts! :-)

Rhome, I agree with many of your thoughts. It is MUCH appreciated!
The refrigerator/pantry: It's not indicated on that plan, but I told the builder I wanted ventilation in the pantry for that specific reason, and although it hasn't been finalized, there will be ventilation. Also, that door will be a pocket door so it won't open into the pantry at all. I'm very excited about that area! (I need a life)
The prep sink/island: If it was a 4 ft island, I think I'd be more okay with the sink being between the stove and refrigerator, but this is a 9 foot landing strip. I think we can afford to "lose the space" with a prep sink in the island, so I'm still working on him with this one. I suspect I will win. ;)
I just realized I forgot to plan for electricity in the island. Need to figure that out, along with undercab lighting.
Any other thoughts? Trash? Micro? (right now I use my microwave for 3 minutes a day to warm up my kid's instant oatmeal. Not a priority for me and I don't use it to cook in at all)

Well, I have only a 4x5 ft island and especially with it on the corner, feel I have plenty of usable island left, so I would say I agree that you can give up the space. :-)

Code will require that you have power in the island. I'm not an expert in how to set that up. One of my favorite solutions to that is in Gizmonike's island, which I'll link below.

Besides warming things like leftovers, I use my microwave a LOT for softening/melting butter, steaming veggies, and defrosting meats...So I like to have mine between the stove and fridge, where I can tend to it while cooking, and others can use it without getting in my way, too. You could do that, putting it either in the bottom of the upper next to the fridge, or in the base cabs. But if you want it completely out of the way, you mentioned putting it in the pantry, which others have done. I prefer to have it more obvious and nearer a sink for cleanup and for accessing dishes and other things used with it, so another good solution, I think, would be to put it somehow on Wall A, where I have the 2nd fridge. Could be in the upper, in the base, or you could have a full-ht cab there with it somewhere in the middle!

Trash is more difficult in your layout. I was able to locate ours in the island, pulling out toward the cleanup sink, but that also put it fairly close to the stove and prep areas. Yours are more spread out, so you may want to plan something in both areas. The most important thing to me is to be able to scrape plates into it while I load the dishwashers...This is the part that's tough for your plan since the sink and island don't line up. The next nicest thing is to be able to push trimmings and trash off the island right into it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gizmonike's photos...See #s 5, 6, and 7

Rhome (or anybody else who wants to play), you like your Electrolux Icon? I'm a little nervous with the not-so-good reviews, but they seem to be improving.

Just realized that I never answered this. We have no complaints. Our 3 units have worked great...quiet and everything cold...for over 2 yrs. The only downside to them that I've noticed is that the drawers attach to shelves, so if you want to take them out of the fridge to clean, you not only have to clean out the drawer, but the shelf above. If it's the bottom drawer, the next drawer up and the shelf on top of it have to come out. The drawer itself doesn't come completely loose, so it's a little big and awkward to deal with. Thankfully, this isn't necessary very often...Usually just wipe it out in place.

I'm just seeing your response about the Electrolux now, Rhome. Thanks.

Do you have pictures of the insides of the refrigerators, by any chance? I see in the reviews that the shelving isn't the best for taller items. How accurate is that? I'm thinking if they work for 8 kids, they should work for 6! :)

I took a shelf out of each fridge, and even so, the height isn't great, but the tall stuff does fit in the doors well. Those are gallon size jars you can see on the top shelf in the main part of the fridge. We do have to tip/maneuver them just a little to get them up there.

Thanks, Rhome. That was very helpful, although now that I'm seeing it, somehow it looks familiar. I think I've checked out your food before ;)

Maybe you visited it on the appliance forum when someone else asked for interior pics. :-) I could take new ones if you want to see new food...I actually have produce now, not just condiments! LOL